"Echoes of Sarasota" Cultural Heritage Exhibit
Celebrating America 250
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, communities across the country are taking time to reflect on the stories that shaped them. In Sarasota, these stories live on through the people, places, and creative traditions that continue to define the city’s character. This national milestone offers an opportunity to pause, look closely at our shared heritage, and consider how the past continues to inspire the Sarasota we know today.
To learn more about the City of Sarasota’s America 250 celebrations, including upcoming events and opportunities to participate, visit the City’s America 250 page.
Sarasota has evolved in remarkable ways since the time of its earliest inhabitants. What were once swampy wetlands have become well-known destinations, dirt paths have grown into major roads, and a community once centered on farming has developed into a place known for tourism and the arts.
With selections on display in both City Hall and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the artworks featured in “Echoes of Sarasota” show captivating scenes of Sarasota’s earlier days, offering a window into a past that seems long gone. Through mural-scale artworks by Regan Dunnick and Frank Hopper and selected paintings from Arts Advocates, the community’s most notable faces and places emerge to share their stories.
"Centennial Celebration" by Frank Hopper, Oil on Canvas, 53 x 101 in
Frank Hopper’s oil paintings honor the individuals who helped shape Sarasota’s early identity. From afar, his lifelike paintings are eye-catching.
Up close, they reveal the careful details of his realist style. Hopper embraces the plain details of everyday life—every wrinkle, fold of fabric, and bead of sweat is painted with precision.
Life as a Sarasota pioneer required strength and determination, especially in a time before modern comforts like air conditioning. Hopper’s detailed portraits show these qualities clearly, giving an honest look at the people whose hard work built the foundation for the community we know today.
"Sarasota Arts and Science" by Regan Dunnick, Pastel on Watercolor Paper, 40 x 99 in
Regan Dunnick uses another approach to show local history in his pastel drawings. Instead of presenting complete stories, he creates individual illustrations of historical people, objects, and places, inviting you to form your own understanding of the past. His artwork turns historical materials into visual clues, giving you a rare chance to step into the role of historian and create meaning from what you see. Through Dunnick’s view, the layers of local history unfold like fading memories ready to be rediscovered.
The subjects of the artworks in Echoes of Sarasota cover more than a thousand years of history, beginning with the Indigenous communities who first lived on this land and continuing through Sarasota’s growth into the vibrant arts and culture center it is today.
The City Hall Cultural Heritage Exhibit is a rotating exhibition program located inside Sarasota’s historic City Hall. Created through a partnership between the City’s Public Art Program and Historic Preservation Division, the exhibit honors and shares the cultural legacies that have shaped Sarasota’s identity through curated displays of artwork, photography, and historical materials.
Featured Artists
Frank Hopper (1924 - 2022)
Frank Hopper was an acclaimed American realist painter known for his strong figure work and large historical murals. He was born in 1924 in a small city in southern Indiana. After serving in the US Navy during World War II, Hopper studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he later taught and continued to develop his own artistic style. He earned a Master of Fine Arts from Indiana University and went on to teach at both the American Academy of Art and the Chicago Academy.
Hopper began working from a rented studio space in Siesta Key Village in the 1970s. Focusing on figurative painting, he has completed many government commissions throughout his career, including presidential portraits and posters. He is also known for the large murals he was asked to paint for local churches. His artwork can be seen at Ss. Peter & Paul the Apostles Church in Bradenton and St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Longboat Key.
His work is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, and he was involved with several respected professional art organizations.
Regan Dunnick
Regan Dunnick is an internationally recognized illustrator, exhibiting artist, and longtime faculty member at Ringling College of Art and Design. His career spans many years of work in editorial illustration, publishing, and fine art. Known for his unique visual style, Dunnick has created illustrations for major publications such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Time, and The Atlantic. His work has been accepted into the permanent collection of the Library of Congress, preserving it for generations to come.
Dunnick is also deeply committed to teaching. He has played an important role in developing the nationally respected illustration program at Ringling College of Art and Design. As a dedicated mentor, he has guided many young artists by helping them develop their own artistic voices.
Dunnick’s artwork is known for its mix of narrative, humor, and layered meaning. His work often explores themes like change, memory, and personal history, brought to life through expressive markmaking. By balancing clear ideas with playful visuals, his art invites viewers into thoughtful and imaginative worlds that tell a story.
Exhibit Partners
Thomsen Fine Art
Thomsen Fine Art is led by director Colin Thomsen, whose lifelong connection to the art world guides the gallery’s vision and standards. The gallery focuses on traditional, impressionistic, and contemporary approaches, showcasing artists whose work shows strong technique and a meaningful presence. Each artwork is selected with care, with an emphasis on quality, clarity, and connection rather than trends.
Located in Sarasota’s historic arts district, Thomsen Fine Art aims to create an inviting and down-to-earth experience for both collectors and newcomers. The gallery is designed as a place where visitors can look closely, ask questions, and discover artwork that is meant to last.
Learn more at www.thomsenfineart.com
Arts Advocates
Arts Advocates supports all forms of art, including fine art, music, literature, theater, dance, and architecture.
The mission of Arts Advocates is to preserve Sarasota’s cultural history by making its collection of works by Florida artists available to the public, to raise awareness of local arts groups through programs and exhibitions, and promote arts education by awarding scholarships to local students pursuing careers in the arts.
The organization values openness and inclusivity and welcomes new members who enjoy sharing their passion for the arts. The public is invited to attend programs that feature speakers from local arts organizations as well as nationally and internationally known artists.
Learn more at www.artsadvocates.org
On Display inside City Hall:
On Display inside the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall: